´óÏó´«Ã½

A rail company is doubling the number of trains it runs between Birmingham and Shrewsbury on weekdays and Saturdays.

However, there will no longer be a direct regular connection between Smethwick Galton Bridge and Bilbrook, Codsall, Albrighton, Cosford and Oakengates.

West Midlands Railway said the new timetable would start on 2 June, with some services from Shrewsbury, Wellington, Telford, Shifnal and Wolverhampton running faster than before.

Andrew McGill from West Midlands Railway said: "This is the first time since the pandemic that we've been able to step up this level of service.

Despite the increase in trains, journey times from Bilbrook, Codsall, Albrighton, Cosford and Oakengates will be longer.

He said the number of people using the line for leisure trips was now above pre-pandemic levels, although commuter numbers remained below previous levels.

Mr McGill said the company hoped the increase in the number of trains would "encourage even more people to return to the railway. because the service will be that much more frequent".

Trains on the new, faster, route will stop at Tame Bridge Parkway, in preparation for the planned opening of new stations at Willenhall and Darlaston.

Follow ´óÏó´«Ã½ West Midlands on , and . Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk, external